“But I didn’t hit him. He hit me.”
“But you were going to, Mas’ Don,” whispered Jem. “Strikes me the time’s come for running away.”
Don shook his head.
“Why, you was red hot on it the other day, my lad.”
“Yes, but I’ve been thinking a great deal about it since, Jem; and it seems to me that it would be too cowardly to run now we are king’s sailors.”
“But not if you were going to be punished for doing nothing.”
“N–o, Jem,” said Don hesitatingly.
“And for being hit as the captain hit you.”
“N–no, Jem; but—but somehow— There, don’t say any more about it now.”